# Production and reception of film The Uprising

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/production-and-reception-of-film-the-uprising
> Updated: 2026-10-10T16:46:16.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 4.

The film ‘The Uprising’, directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Andrew Garfield, is a historical drama centered on the 1381 English Peasants’ Revolt. The production, which has utilized locations such as Penzing Studios in Munich, employs a ‘vérité’ filmmaking style to depict the tensions between the ruling elite and commoners in the aftermath of the Black Death.

Narrative elements include a fictional nun named Alyce, intended to represent women involved in the rebellion and the followers of revolutionary leader John Ball, as well as an unnamed farmer known as the ‘Ploughman’. In the film, Garfield stars as the ploughman—a man who has lost his family to the plague—joining forces with Wat Tyler (played by Cosmo Jarvis) and the radical priest John Ball (played by Jamie Bell) to rebel against the establishment after he kills an abusive soldier.

Garfield has suggested the film serves as a ‘long-distance mirror to our near tomorrow,’ citing concerns over modern power hoarding and contemporary oppression. Upon release, critical reception has been divided. While some praise the kinetic, documentary-style cinematography, others have criticized the aesthetic as a ‘disjointed slog’ or a ‘seasick viewing experience’. 

Despite not being a major box-office success, the film’s distribution in the United States involved a specific marketing strategy where it was promoted under the title ‘The Uprising: The Rise of Robin Hood’ to capitalize on the well-known legend, reflecting the film's creative attempt to connect the historical revolt to the Robin Hood mythos.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-10: The Uprising film explores England's 1381 Peasants' Revolt

Directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Andrew Garfield, “The Uprising” dramatizes the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt in England, following a man driven to lead a rebellion against crushing taxes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/the-uprising-film-explores-englands-1381-peasants-revolt

### 2026-10-05: Andrew Garfield stars in historical drama ‘The Uprising’

The historical drama ‘The Uprising’, directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Andrew Garfield, depicts the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt and its themes of social oppression.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andrew-garfield-stars-in-historical-drama-the-uprising-2

### 2026-09-29: Paul Greengrass films ‘The Uprising’ about the Peasants’ Revolt

Director Paul Greengrass is filming ‘The Uprising’, a historical drama starring Andrew Garfield about the 1381 English Peasants’ Revolt.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paul-greengrass-films-the-uprising-about-the-peasants-revolt

### 2026-09-20: Andrew Garfield stars in Paul Greengrass’s historical epic The Uprising

Paul Greengrass’s “The Uprising,” starring Andrew Garfield, dramatizes England’s 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, drawing mixed reviews over its modern, handheld cinematic style.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andrew-garfield-stars-in-paul-greengrasss-historical-epic-the-uprising-1

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Cite as: Production and reception of film The Uprising. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/production-and-reception-of-film-the-uprising